After years of construction, months of casting and a last minute mishap that flooded the stage earlier this week.

The huge Waikiki Nei production is about to open.

The power of the ocean, the thrill of a ride inside a giant wave. This is the first peek at one of the breathtaking moments in Waikiki Nei.

The shows creators have combined 135-foot cinema screens with world class effects to share culture and history.

Eight months ago, the former Aloha Showroom was being gutted. The roof raised to accommodate this vegas style production. Now, the 750 retractable seats are in place, the massive rotating stage is set and the high flying trapeze lines are ready for action.

Roger Parent, a man instrumental in creating several Cirque De Soleil shows is overseeing the tricky choreography.

"And none of these people have been flying before. So it's get them accustomed to going 10 feet per second in mid-air. It's not easy to do," said Parent.

Parent said he's been awed by the spirit and talent of this all local cast and they used Hawaiian leaders to keep them culturally correct or "pono" as they created each scene.

Fred Cachola was volunteering as a docent at Iolani Palace when they asked him to join the show.

"What I"m doing in scene number two is giving the net to my moopuna. Teaching him to take care of it," said Cachola.

At 72-years-old Cachola is thrilled for this opportunity.

"I'm playing a kupuna and that's exactly who I am and that's exactly where I see myself in this part of life. That time of my life where I need to pass things on and that's exactly what I'm doing here," said Cachola.

Waikiki Nei, means waikiki now, and the $23 million extravaganza will take you on an emotional trip thru Waikiki history.

The opening scene depicts people from all eras arriving in Waikiki over the heads of the audience riding a sea of blue light.

There are scenes from ancient times, boat days, right up to the construction craze of today. When the show is over the seats fold away to make room for a giant ultralounge nightclub. That'll attract world renowned dee jays and ir has already been completely bought out by a visiting company for it's first night of business.

Managing partner Roy Tokujo has decades in Hawaii's entertainment industry and says this is by far the biggest project he's ever attempted. He's not worried about the timing with our slowing economy.

"I believe this will be a big boost to the waikiki scene. I think it'll be the sizzle in the renovation of Waikiki. And I think there are still going to be a lot of tourists here and we're hoping this will be their one stop thing that they have to do while they're in Hawaii," said Tokujo.

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